Venezuelan Armed Forces: Roles, Structure, and Legal Framework
Venezuelan National Armed Forces
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National Armed Forces: Defined as a professional institution, not politically organized by the state. Its mission is to ensure the independence and sovereignty of the nation and the defense, preservation, and observance of the principles enshrined in the Constitution. These principles are:
- Patriotism
- Equality
- Justice
- Freedom
- International Peace
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Army: Its primary function is to plan and execute military ground operations in coordination with the other components of the National Armed Forces in pursuit of defending the nation. Its functions include:
- Organizing, operating, and managing the intelligence system to counter the National Armed Forces or coalitions.
- Engaging in partnerships with the armed forces of Latin America and the Caribbean for the purposes of integration within the conditions established in treaties and conventions.
- Defending strategic points to ensure the development of activities in different areas.
- Ensuring the dominance of habitats that allow the movement of people and goods between the regions of the country.
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Navy (Naval): Conducts and controls naval, amphibious, river, and coast guard operations in support of others. Its functions include:
- Providing operational support to water transport and other components of the National Armed Forces.
- Protecting and monitoring defense communications in water transport channels, as well as strategic coastal and river areas of the country.
- Ensuring safe navigation in water spaces.
- Forestalling and preventing the violation of national and international laws in aquatic areas.
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Aviation: Protects airspace in coordination with other components of the National Armed Forces. Its functions include:
- Contributing to the formulation, study, analysis, and diffusion of Venezuelan military thinking.
- Organizing, leading, equipping, and training units for the execution of military air operations.
- Cooperating in environmental protection and national cultural, historical, geographic, and economic activities.
- Participating in research, development, and science and technology.
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National Guard: Consists of a series of facilities aimed at maintaining internal order and collaborating in the development of military operations with other components. Its functions include:
- Cooperating with national efforts in the prevention and investigation of crimes related to drugs, kidnapping, and extortion.
- Supporting communities in disasters, public calamities, and other similar events.
- Providing operational and air transport support to other components.
- Contributing to the analysis, formulation, study, and diffusion of military thought.
Conscription and Military Readiness
Military registration is a duty for all Venezuelans, as set forth in Article 134 of the Constitution, which states: “Everyone, in accordance with the law, has the duty to perform military or civilian service necessary for the protection, preservation, and development of the country or to deal with situations of public calamity. No one shall be subjected to forced recruitment. Everyone has a duty to serve in the electoral functions assigned to it in accordance with the law.”
Security Zones
These are spaces of the country that, due to their strategic importance, features, and elements, are subject to special regulation. Security zones include:
- Border security zones adjacent to the sea, lakes, islands, and navigable rivers.
- Transmission corridors for pipelines, power lines, and major aqueducts.
- Airspace over military installations.
- Areas adjacent to first-order air, land, and aquatic communication routes.
Sanctions and Penalties
All persons, resident or transient in the country, who do not meet the requirements of state agencies related to the security and defense of the nation will be penalized. All persons in the country who refuse to provide data to public officials or provide false data will be sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison. Public officials who disclose information or provide data to any individual or any other state shall be punished with 5 to 10 years in prison. Anyone who organizes activities within security zones that affect the operation of facilities shall be punished by imprisonment from 5 to 10 years.